Mauritius: Boat trip to Ile aux Cerfs with Lunch/waterslide

The best part of this Mauritius cruise is the built-in waterslide, which sends you straight from the catamaran into the warm lagoon. It turns a standard island trip into something playful, especially if you want more than a quiet ride and a beach stop.

I like the mix of snorkeling and Ile aux Cerfs. You get time in the water, a cooked BBQ lunch, free drinks, and a famous island stop without arranging each piece separately. The main tradeoff is that this is an active group outing, not a peaceful private sailing trip, and Ile aux Cerfs time is limited.

• A catamaran with its own waterslide: Slide from the boat into the lagoon as often as you like during the swimming stop.
• A 40-minute swim near Grand River South East: Snorkeling gear is supplied, with crew help available.
• BBQ lunch and unlimited drinks: Expect grilled meats, salads, fruit, beer, rum, soft drinks, and water. Vegetarian food is available on request.
• A proper visit to Ile aux Cerfs: Use free time for swimming, walking, relaxing, or optional water sports at extra cost.
• Mauritian music on the return sail: Sega dance, traditional music, and crew entertainment add a local touch.
• A six-hour outing for $88: The price is reasonable if you will use the lunch, drinks, slide, snorkeling stop, and island visit.

A catamaran ride to Ile aux Cerfs can be a very simple beach excursion: sail out, eat lunch, take a few photos, and sail back. This version adds more action, with a giant onboard slide, a snorkeling stop, unlimited drinks, BBQ food, and music on the return trip.

At $88 per person, I see this as a good-value package for anyone who wants a full day of organized fun. You are paying for the boat ride, lunch, drinks, equipment, entertainment, and access to one of Mauritius’ best-known island stops. It is less appealing if you prefer quiet water time, a small group, or a carefully paced nature tour.

Leaving Trou d’Eau Douce for the East Coast

The trip begins at the end of the jetty beside the Mauritian flag. Depending on the option you choose, pickup arrangements may vary, so check your selected starting point carefully. The main meeting area is at Trou d’Eau Douce, a useful departure point for the east coast and the nearby island.

The first sailing section lasts about an hour. You will have time to settle in, look along the coast, and enjoy local snacks while the catamaran moves toward the water stops. This is a good point to apply biodegradable sunscreen, find a place to sit, and keep your towel and sandals within reach.

The boat ride is part of the attraction, but you should set the right expectation. This is a social cruise with music, drinks, and crew entertainment rather than a silent yacht charter. If you enjoy an easygoing party mood, that works in its favor. If you want long stretches of quiet sailing, the music and group atmosphere may feel like too much.

Grand River South East and the 40-Minute Water Stop

One of the first major stops is around Grand River South East, where you have about 40 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. Gear is provided, so you do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel unless you prefer familiar equipment.

The water here is the main reason to bring swimwear rather than treating this as a sightseeing cruise. You can look for coral and marine life in clear lagoon water, with crew members available to help. The stop gives you a chance to cool off before the boat’s livelier attraction takes over.

Keep your expectations measured. Snorkeling conditions can change with weather and water clarity, and this is a short introductory stop rather than a specialist reef expedition. You will get time to look around, but not an extended marine-life session.

The Waterslide Makes This More Than a Boat Ride

The catamaran’s built-in waterslide is the feature that gives this cruise its personality. You climb onto the slide and splash directly into the lagoon, with repeated access during the activity. Children and adults can enjoy it, although you should be comfortable climbing and entering the water.

I like this setup because it makes the boat itself part of the day. You do not have to wait until reaching Ile aux Cerfs to swim or have fun. The slide also gives families an easy way to keep children active between the snorkeling stop and lunch.

There is a practical point here: the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. The combination of a jetty, catamaran, water entry, and slide requires a fair amount of movement. If you have concerns about climbing, boarding, or getting into the water, this is worth checking before booking.

A Short River Boat Section Adds Variety

After the Grand River South East stop, the schedule includes about 20 minutes on a river boat. This is a shorter part of the day, but it breaks up the open-water sailing and gives the outing a different view of Mauritius.

You should not think of this as a separate long river tour. It is a brief transfer or scenic section within the larger trip. Its value is mainly in the change of setting and pace before the Ile aux Cerfs portion.

BBQ Lunch With Beer, Rum, and Soft Drinks

Food is included, which makes the $88 price easier to assess. The BBQ features grilled meats, salads, and fruit, with vegetarian options available if requested in advance. Drinks include water, soft drinks, beer, and rum, and the package describes them as unlimited.

The lunch is served aboard the boat during the Ile aux Cerfs part of the trip. That means you can eat without arranging a separate restaurant stop, and the meal remains part of the sailing atmosphere. It also keeps the day moving, since you are not spending your limited island time searching for food.

The drinks are a major part of the value, especially for adults who plan to enjoy beer or rum during the cruise. Still, unlimited alcohol is not a reason to ignore the heat. Drink water, use sunscreen, and pace yourself, particularly if you will also swim and use the slide.

Vegetarian visitors should request their meal option before the trip. The information provided confirms that vegetarian choices are available on request, but it does not give a sample menu, so do not assume a particular dish will be waiting unless you arrange it.

Ile aux Cerfs: Beaches, Shallow Water, and Free Time

Ile aux Cerfs is the visual centerpiece of the outing. The island is known for white sand and shallow turquoise lagoons, giving you a classic tropical setting for swimming, walking, and relaxing.

Your free time here is flexible rather than tightly programmed. You can sit on the beach, take a walk, swim, or simply enjoy the island views. Optional water sports are available at an extra charge, so budget separately if you want activities beyond those included in the cruise.

The important limitation is time. The full outing lasts six hours, and that includes the outward sailing, snorkeling, river boat section, lunch, island visit, and return journey. You will not have an entire day on Ile aux Cerfs. If the island is your only priority, a longer island-focused excursion may suit you better. If you want several activities in one package, the shorter visit is a fair trade.

I also like that the island stop is not the only reason to book. If weather, crowds, or water conditions make the beach time less perfect than hoped, you still have the snorkeling, slide, meal, and boat entertainment.

Sega Music on the Way Back

The return sail to Trou d’Eau Douce takes about an hour and includes music, local Sega dance, traditional music, and crew entertainment. Sega is a Mauritian style of music and dance, so this part gives the cruise a cultural note rather than relying only on swimming and drinks.

The local performance is one of the more distinctive details of the day. It can make the ride home feel like an activity in its own right, especially after the island stop. The atmosphere is lively and participatory, so you may find yourself watching, clapping, or joining in.

The cruise ends at Trou d’Eau Douce, with drop-off points listed at the jetty and the Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs location. Check your selected option so you know where you will finish.

Who Will Get the Most From This Cruise?

I would recommend this outing to families, couples, and groups who want a sociable day with several included activities. It is especially suitable if you like swimming, casual snorkeling, music, and a little harmless splashy chaos.

Families should appreciate the slide and the mix of water activities. Adults may value the unlimited drinks and BBQ lunch, while couples can use the island stop for a walk and some quiet beach time between the livelier sections.

This is less suitable for you if you want a private boat, serious snorkeling, extensive time on Ile aux Cerfs, or a calm sailing experience. It is also not designed for people with mobility impairments, and you should be ready for boarding, moving around the boat, and entering the water.

The crew speaks English and French. No individual guide names are provided, but staff are available during the snorkeling stop and help keep the day moving. The strong points repeatedly associated with this outing are the friendly crew, music, and entertainment, so expect the human side of the cruise to matter as much as the route.

What to Bring for a Comfortable Day

Pack swimwear, a towel, and sandals. Biodegradable sunscreen is specifically requested, which is a sensible choice around coral and lagoon water.

Keep your belongings organized because you will move between the boat, water, and island. A waterproof bag can be useful, although one is not listed as included. Bring only what you need for swimming, sun protection, and a few photos.

If you want vegetarian food, request it ahead of time. You should also consider how much sun exposure you can handle. The cruise includes several hours outdoors, and the combination of heat, alcohol, swimming, and an open boat can catch you out if you do not pace yourself.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability, so check the time shown for your chosen date before making other plans.

Is $88 a Fair Price?

For $88, I think this is a solid package if you plan to use most of what is included. A separate boat ride, snorkeling stop, meal, drinks, entertainment, waterslide, and Ile aux Cerfs visit would add up quickly if arranged independently.

The value drops if you do not drink alcohol, skip the slide, or want to spend most of the day on the island. In that case, you are paying for features that do not matter much to you. The package works best for someone who wants variety rather than a single main attraction.

The reported rating is 4.2 out of 5 from 27 reviews, with especially strong praise for the entertainment, staff, music, and local singing. That matches the design of the trip: it is built around fun, friendly service, and a memorable group atmosphere more than quiet luxury.

Should You Book This Ile aux Cerfs Cruise?

Book it if you want an active, social six-hour cruise with a waterslide, snorkeling, BBQ lunch, unlimited drinks, traditional Mauritian music, and time on Ile aux Cerfs. The combination offers good value at $88, particularly for families and groups.

Think twice if your priority is peace, privacy, a long reef session, or several unhurried hours on the island. For everyone else, this is a cheerful way to fit many classic Mauritius experiences into one well-packed day.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip begin?

The meeting point is at the end of the jetty beside the Mauritian flag in Trou d’Eau Douce. The selected option may affect the exact pickup or starting location.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts six hours. The schedule includes about one hour of outward sailing, a 40-minute swimming stop, a 20-minute river boat section, time around Ile aux Cerfs, and about one hour sailing back.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is provided for the water stop, and crew members are available to help.

What food and drinks are included?

The BBQ includes grilled meats, salads, and fruit. Vegetarian options are available on request. Unlimited drinks include beer, rum, soft drinks, and water.

Can I use the waterslide more than once?

Yes. The onboard waterslide is available during the cruise, allowing repeated slides into the lagoon.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sandals, and biodegradable sunscreen. You should request a vegetarian meal in advance if needed.